wobbly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wobbly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unsteady, shaky, or not firmly fixed in place. Example: "The table was wobbly, making it difficult to eat without spilling drinks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was another building, though, that tripped up IVG, already wobbly from the effects of the financial crisis.

The Economist

The stronger performance of O2 says Mr Karidis, shows that scale is less important than "razor-sharp operating focus .The second pillar of Vodafone's strategy, its mobile-only approach, also looks wobbly.

The Economist

It is the western banks that look wobbly.

The Economist

So the feuding in Karachi could destabilise the national government, which looks wobbly.

The Economist

The role of the middle-aged woman in the workplace is, for the most part, a wobbly highwire act.

The Guardian - Opinion

For a gloriously gooey cake, it needs to be slightly wobbly in the middle but have the appearance of being cooked on top and around the edges; don't worry if you take it too far, though – it's a very forgiving and delicious cake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I crossed some on ferries so rickety it took all my courage to ride up the wobbly ramps.

The Guardian - Travel

The fringe and the mainstream were at the time viscerally opposed: the Upstairs offered a kind of wobbly bridge between them.

The Guardian

Although Chvrches formed and began writing in October 2011, we made our first wobbly steps into the public realm by posting a song on Neon Gold music blog in May last year.

The Guardian - Music

Labour critics and Lib Dems such as Simon Hughes call them "wobbly", inconsistent even on green issues and Europe and still with an authoritarian streak about what is good for people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Far from a pathology afflicting individuals, the desire to scream out in pain and isolation under the wobbly sky is a sane response to an insane world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like economies or political situations, use "wobbly" to suggest instability or uncertainty, adding a nuanced layer to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "wobbly" excessively in highly formal or technical writing. While acceptable, it might be perceived as less precise than alternatives like "unstable" or "precarious". Opt for the more formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "wobbly" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being unsteady, shaky, or lacking stability. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples showcasing its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

The Economist

10%

The Guardian

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wobbly" functions primarily as an adjective denoting instability, both physically and metaphorically. While generally acceptable across various contexts, its usage in highly formal or technical writing may be less preferred than alternatives such as "unstable" or "precarious". As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, the word appears most frequently in news and media sources like The Economist and The Guardian, indicating its prevalence in journalistic and opinion-based writing. Overall, as Ludwig AI confirms, "wobbly" is deemed correct and usable in English and it’s a common way to describe something unsteady or risky.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsteady

A direct synonym, indicating a lack of balance or firmness.

unstable

Focuses on the lack of stability, a more general term for something not steady.

shaky

Suggests trembling or vibrating, implying a lack of steadiness due to movement.

precarious

Emphasizes the risk and uncertainty associated with the instability.

tottering

Indicates a state of being on the verge of falling.

rickety

Specifically refers to something poorly constructed or likely to fall apart.

flimsy

Describes something lacking substance or strength.

wavering

Implies hesitation or fluctuation, suggesting a lack of conviction or firmness.

tenuous

Highlights the fragility and lack of a strong foundation.

dodgy

Suggests something unreliable or potentially dangerous.

FAQs

How can I use "wobbly" in a sentence?

You can use "wobbly" to describe something unsteady or unstable, such as "The table was "wobbly"" or "The government's position is "wobbly"".

What's a good alternative to "wobbly"?

Alternatives include "unstable", "shaky", or "precarious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "wobbly" to describe an economy?

Yes, "wobbly" can be used to describe an economy, suggesting it is "unstable" or at risk of failing. For example, "The country's economy has looked "wobbly" since the crisis.

What's the difference between "wobbly" and "unstable"?

"Wobbly" often implies a physical instability or a slight lack of balance, while "unstable" can refer to both physical and abstract concepts, suggesting a greater degree of potential collapse or failure.